# **The Genuine Voyage of Discovery: A Physician’s Path Through Insight and Development**
Inscribed on the wall of our medical school’s gym was a saying from Marcel Proust:
> *“The genuine voyage of discovery is not about searching for new landscapes but in acquiring new vision.”*
Initially, it appeared to be an odd selection for a gym—more philosophical than motivational. Yet, as we exerted ourselves on the treadmill, lifted weights, or found peace in a quiet stretch following an exhausting day, the significance of those words became apparent.
## **Medicine, Beyond a System**
Medical school often feels like an unyielding, regimented journey—a mechanism crafted to mold proficient physicians through extensive hours, ceaseless exams, and high expectations. It’s simple for students to view their path as merely a sequence of hurdles: another lecture to attend, another clinical rotation to get through, another exam on the horizon.
However, each time we entered that gym, we were reminded that viewpoint is crucial. The challenges of medical training extended beyond merely enduring the experience—it was about how we decided to perceive it. The walls of that gym contained more than just gym equipment; they represented a shift in mindset, a mental sanctuary from the rigors of medicine.
## **Exercise as a Resistance Against Burnout**
For my husband and me, physical activity was not solely about fitness; it was our remedy for burnout. It was a deliberate choice to reclaim an aspect of ourselves beyond the white coats and textbooks.
Medical school and residency are notorious for their demanding schedules, leaving scant room for self-care. Carving out time for exercise became a small yet impactful act of rebellion—an affirmation that we were more than just students or future doctors. We were complete individuals whose well-being mattered.
In that environment, surrounded by the familiar sound of treadmills and the rhythmic clatter of weights, we were not merely medical students; we were restoring balance. We transitioned from a survival mentality to one of resilience and empowerment.
## **Changing Perspective: From Burden to Opportunity**
Proust’s words compelled us to reconsider our journey—not as something to evade, but as a chance for transformation. Medical training would never be simple, but maybe it wasn’t intended to be. Growth, after all, frequently arises from discomfort.
With a shift in perspective, the fatigue became part of the accepted challenge. The late nights of studying were not merely obligations but investments in mastery. The clinical rotations—while demanding—transformed into platforms for learning, skill refinement, and discovering our purpose in medicine.
## **Medicine Adapts, But Memories Endure**
Just as we evolved, so did the medical institution itself. The Medical University of Ohio (MCO) underwent transformations—to the Medical University of Ohio at Toledo, and finally to the University of Toledo College of Medicine (UTCOM). Yet, for us, it will forever be “MCO,” a place where memories from our formative years in medicine are frozen in time.
The title may have transformed, but the essence of the experience remained—long nights, friendships forged through shared challenges, and moments of enlightenment during the quiet stretches in that small gym.
## **Beyond Medical School: The Ongoing Journey**
Even after transitioning from medical students to residents, and now as attendings nearing postgraduate year 20 (PGY-20), Proust’s words resonate with us. The demands of medicine have not abated. The system continues to be inflexible. The expectations remain elevated.
But we possess *new vision*.
We view our careers not as burdens but as opportunities. Our gym today serves a similar purpose as that old medical school gym once did—a place to recalibrate, to regain perspective, to remind ourselves that despite the pressures of medicine, we possess the power to shape our experiences.
## **The Genuine Voyage of Discovery**
Discovery isn’t about waiting for a time when things will be simpler; it’s about recognizing that even amidst chaos, we have the capability to alter our perspective.
It’s the distinction between feeling confined by the system and identifying the opportunities it presents. It’s the contrast between struggling to survive and actively embracing growth.
As we advance in our medical careers, the voyage of discovery continues—not through new terrains but through the constant choice to see with *new vision*.
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### **About the Author**
**Dr. Maureen Gibbons** transitioned from a rewarding career in emergency medicine to one where her skills, training, and passion for teaching yield unparalleled rewards—physically, emotionally, and financially.
With over 25 years of mentoring experience as an athletic trainer, triathlon coach, sports nutritionist, and physician, she established **Active Medical Solutions**, a lifestyle medical practice. She also created a straightforward yet powerful **EMR for asynchronous care**.
Dr. Moe’s journey—characterized by both achievements and challenges—enables her to guide fellow physicians and professionals toward enhanced health and